Yarbrough goes through pro day carrying big chip on his shoulder

Eddie Yarbrough came to the University of Wyoming as a linebacker and he may leave as one as well.

Yarbrough — along with eight other Cowboys — took part in Wyoming’s annual pro day on Thursday inside the Wyoming Indoor Practice Facility.

Scouts from 10 different NFL teams — including the Denver Broncos — were on hand to test the Cowboys in the basic drills of the 40-yard dash, cone drill, broad jump and 225-pound weight lifts as well as position drills.

For Yarbrough, it was his first chance to show the scouts what he’s been working on for 2 ½ months while in Arizona. Yarbrough wasn’t invited to any senior all-star games or the NFL Combine.

“Talk about an arrow to the heart,” Yarbrough said with his perpetual big smile. “People were texting me and calling me. Everything happens for a reason. If I can come out and show what I can do — which I’m confident I did — I’ll be just fine.”

Yarbrough played defensive end for Wyoming and leaves the program as the all-time leader in tackles for loss (39) while ranking ninth in career sacks (21.5). The Aurora, Colorado, native also led all Mountain West defensive linemen in tackles last season at 5.2 per game.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds last season, Yarbrough said he welcomes the chance to possibly play linebacker.

“In high school that’s all I played was linebacker,” he said. “It would be like taking me back home, getting to stand up, getting to run and look for the ball. A lot of (NFL) people also see me as a linebacker at the next level and they wanted to see me open up, open up my hips and drop back into coverage and catch the ball.”

Although no official numbers are released during pro days, Yarbrough was happiest with his reported 40 time of 4.70 seconds. He joked that he ran a 5.0 during his senior day timing last fall. Yarbrough also said he repped 225 pounds 27 times in the weight lifting portion of the test.

“I’m one of those who always feel like I could have done a little more, but I’m definitely content with how my job interview went today,” Yarbrough said. “I feel like I could show my athleticism and show what I’m all about.”

Also taking part Thursday were offensive lineman Rafe Kiely, defensive back Tyran Finley, defensive end Siaosi Hala’api’api and wide receiver Justin Berger. Former Cowboys Patrick Mertens, Jordan Stanton, Darren White, Sonny Puletasi and Tedder Easton also were part of the testing.

For Hala’api’api, Thursday was a chance to show scouts how far he’s come since undergoing surgery for a torn labrum he suffered during the 2015 season.

“I just went off knowing this is what I’ve been doing my whole life,” Hala’api’api said. “It took a lot pressure off with a lot of the guys like Eddie, Jordan, Sonny being here because those are the guys I went onto the field with every day and I feel comfortable with.

“As the pro day went on, they all gave me pointers and just went with it.”

The next step for all the participants will be trying to arrange personal workouts and visits with NFL teams prior to the NFL Draft April 28-30 in Chicago.

Yarbrough said he received plenty of positive feedback from the scouts in attendance Thursday. The UW standout said he’s also taking names of all of those who’ve been picked before him for the all-star games and combines.

“You talk about a chip on my shoulder,” Yarbrough said. “I’m keeping a list of anybody who got invited to the NFL Combine and the senior bowls, any D-end or any linebacker drafted before me.

“I’m going to write their names down in a notebook and keep track of them their whole career.”